But not all of the bacteria in your body are good for you. Some research suggests that having too many of the "bad" and not enough of the "good" bacteria — caused in part by an unhealthy diet — can wreak all sorts of havoc on your body’s systems.

This imbalance can lead to weight gain, skin conditions, constipation or diarrhea, and various chronic health conditions.

Should I consider taking a probiotic dietary supplement?

A probiotic dietary supplement can aid your health in a variety of ways. What's of current interest is which strain of probiotic bacteria can be helpful in which areas. Lactobacillus, bifidobacteria, Saccharomycesboulardii and Bacilluscoagulans are the most common beneficial bacteria used in probiotic dietary supplement products.

The right type and amount of a probiotic can help you in several ways:

It can promote a healthy immune support.*

It can support a weight management program.*

It can prevent occasional diarrhea or constipation.*

What amount of a probiotic dietary supplement should I take?

Consuming yogurt products with probiotic content is a good option if you want to get more probiotics in your diet. When you choose a yogurt, look for the seal "Live and Active Cultures" on the product label. This indicates that the yogurt has at least 100 million active cultures per gram of yogurt.

Are there any side effects from taking a probiotic dietary supplement?

Probiotics are safe in the amounts you normally find in food. In general, most healthy adults can safely add foods or dietary supplements that contain probiotics to their diets.

Some individuals can experience gas (flatulence), but that generally passes after a few days. But which strains of bacteria are most helpful or which doses are best isn’t always known.

And if you are lactose intolerant, you can experience stomach discomfort if you try to get your probiotics from dairy products. In that case, consider using a dairy-free probiotic.

Is it safe to take a probiotic dietary supplement with a prescription medication?

Take a probiotic dietary supplement with caution if you:

Are taking an antibiotic or prescription drug that affects your immune system

Are being treated for a fungal infection

Have pancreatitis

Taking a probiotic dietary supplement may not be safe if you:

Get infections often

Have a weakened immune system

Are allergic or sensitive to probiotics

What does Mayo Clinic think about probiotic dietary supplements?

Integrative medicine specialists at Mayo Clinic recommend considering probiotics as a low-risk way to boost your everyday healthy habits. For example, getting more probiotics in your food or from a dietary supplement can help your flu shot work more effectively.

Incorporating foods with bacteria in them makes sense, but for now, most of the clinical studies have used amounts of probiotic bacteria that are only attainable through taking a probiotic dietary supplement.

This information is provided to help you make an educated choice. Remember to talk with your health care professional before starting a dietary supplement regimen.

Thorne’s medical staff has teamed up with writers and physicians at Mayo Clinic to provide cutting-edge educational content. Medical editor Brent A. Bauer, M.D., is director of research for the Department of Internal Medicine's Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Dr. Bauer's principal research focus is the scientific evaluation of integrative therapies, which combine the best of conventional medicine with the best of evidence-based complementary therapies.